Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: EA Montreal

PUBLISHER: EA Games

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

After globe-trotting to combat terrorists in the original game, private military contractors Tyson Rios and Elliot Salem are back to kick butt in the explosive third person shooter, "Army of Two: The 40th Day." There hasn't been a dynamic duo this over-the-top since Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, but that doesn't stop them from employing various team tactics to get the job done.

A few years after the original story ends, Rios and Salem are in Shanghai on a routine mission when the city literally begins crumbling around them. Dozens of gigantic explosions reverberate through the city as skyscrapers topple to the ground and citizens flee in panic. Now it's up to the hardened veterans to survive the chaos together and uncover the dastardly perpetrators.

Although the subject is terrifying, watching buildings topple around me while I'm blasting my way through enemies is a breathtaking sight to behold. It also lets the developers create unusual areas, such as fighting through a building as it slowly falls or shooting enemies from a concrete slab that is being moved by a crane. Too bad the game play gets a bit repetitive.

Not surprisingly, the "aggro" system from the first game returns to let players actively control whom the enemy focuses on. When one player is being shot at, the other player can flank the enemy and easily pick them off. I just wish that I could issue more in-depth commands. It would also be nice if the cover system was more reliable.

Fortunately, a robust weapon customization system makes up for some of these complaints. When out of combat, players can purchase or modify any weapons they choose. With the freedom to change everything from the stock to the barrel, players can transform nearly any firearm into their dream weapon. It's also possible to go online and create original designs for each player's mask to use and share with others, which is very cool.

While "Army of Two: The 40th Day" isn't groundbreaking, several new additions help the game rise above it's mediocre predecessor.

'Katamari Forever' Turns over a Familiar Leaf

DEVELOPER: Namco Bandai

PUBLISHER: Namco Bandai

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3

PRICE: $49.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

After several incarnations on handheld consoles and the PS2, Namco Bandai finally rolls out a Katamari game for the PS3.

While "Katamari Forever" doesn't feature spectacular visuals or screen-shattering action, it does provide an incredibly unusual gaming experience that is as fun as it is cathartic.

Anyone who has ever played the series knows that there is no use in explaining the story lines since they are wacky to say the least. Just keep in mind that there is a strange king who demands that his subjects create giant spheres out of various objects that are rolled up by using a magical device called a "Katamari." Sound weird? We're just getting started.

Although the game play is simplistic in nature, it can also be very challenging! Players must roll their Katamari around and pick up items that, in turn, make the Katamari larger. It follows the same concept as creating a ball of string, but you replace the string with anything ranging from baseballs to tin cans to automobiles. When the Katamari gets large enough, it "grows" in size and can then pick up larger items. Eventually, players will be rolling their Katamari through space picking up planets and stars. After each level, the king grades each Katamari based on size, but I'd rather my rolling be judged on performance.

One would think that the fifth installment of a game would be very different from the first, but that's not the case here. Sure there are many, many levels with lots to do, but it feels like I've done most of it before. Some of the wild new levels are appreciated, however, like one where I had to roll a Katamari made of fireflies that was judged on brightness instead of size. I also like the new ability to hop.

In the end, "Katamari Forever" is a strangely enjoyable game that only appeals to those with oddball tastes.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Very Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: (Everyone)

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM.